The federal government has commissioned a 40-mega watts hydro-power plant at Dadin Kowa dam in Gombe State.
Minister of water resources Engineer Suleiman Adamu flanked by Gombe State Governor Inuwa Yahaya and the managing director, Upper Benue River Basin Development Authority (UBRBDA), Abubakar Halilu Mu’azu, commissioned the project yesterday.
In his opening remarks during the commissioning ceremony, Mu’azu explained that the project was aimed at harnessing the electricity potential of the dam to boost power supply in the state and benefiting communities.
He noted that the dam has a reservoir capacity of 2.8 billion cubic metres and processes over 50 million litres of water per day, adding that the function of the dam is not limited to water supply but can irrigate over 30, 000 hectares farms and generate power.
“Other functions of the reservoir include fisheries and flood control. So now, with the massive structure and capacity of this power plant, it will generate 40 mega watts within 65 days,” he said.
Engineer Suleiman Adamu explained that the dam had already been connected to the national grid.
He further stated that the project was in line with the commitment of the present administration’s will to utilise the full potential of the dam for the benefit of the state and country.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya who hailed the project said it was crucial to the livelihood and economy of the farming and fishing communities.
He also said the dam enhances food security and energy independence in the North east which has only two power plants including that of Dadin Kowa.
